right angle

American  

noun

1. the angle formed by two radii of a circle that are drawn to the extremities of an arc equal to one quarter of the circle; the angle formed by two perpendicular lines that intersect; an angle of 90°.

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right angle British  

noun

1. the angle between two radii of a circle that cut off on the circumference an arc equal in length to one quarter of the circumference; an angle of 90° or π/2 radians

2. perpendicular or perpendicularly

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right angle Scientific  

/ rīt /

1. An angle having a measure of 90°.

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right angle Cultural  

1. An angle measuring ninety degrees, formed by the intersection of two perpendicular lines. (Compare acute angle and obtuse angle.)

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Other Word Forms

• right-angled adjective

Etymology

Origin of right angle

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

Water must be flowing, skies must be clear and the setting sun must hit at the right angle.

From Los Angeles Times

It was badly bent, with one leg twisted at a right angle to the others.

From Literature

Viewed at the right angle, the piece resembles a giant eye.

From Los Angeles Times

A key concept in this area is the "Schweikart triangle," a special type of triangle with one right angle and two zero angles.

From Science Daily

Under normal conditions, these cells divide mainly at right angles to the ventricular surface.

From Science Daily